World leaders and international aid organizations have strongly condemned Israel’s assault on al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical facility in the Gaza Strip. After a week of incursions across Gaza, termed by some as a “war on hospitals,” governments, United Nations agencies, and aid organizations expressed distress on Wednesday as Israel’s military raided al-Shifa, trapping thousands of patients, staff, and displaced people. Criticism was raised against Israel’s decision to target a facility that should be a safe haven under the rules of war.
Martin Griffiths, the UN’s undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, stated, “Hospitals are not battlegrounds,” emphasizing the need to prioritize the protection of civilians. The World Health Organization’s Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the attacks “deeply concerning,” expressing worry for the safety of health personnel and patients. The International Committee of the Red Cross voiced extreme concern about the impact on the sick, wounded, medical staff, and civilians, urging measures to avoid harm.
The Palestinian Authority denounced Israel’s operation in Gaza’s largest hospital as a “flagrant violation of international law” and called for urgent international intervention. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas characterized the situation as a “barbaric war of aggression and an open war of genocide.” World leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, condemned Israel’s actions, with Trudeau warning that the world is watching.
Jordan accused the UN Security Council of enabling Israel’s “barbarism” through its silence, calling for action. Belize suspended diplomatic ties with Israel and recalled its ambassador due to “indiscriminate bombing.” The situation inside al-Shifa Hospital was described as horrific even before the raid, with overcrowding, lack of resources, and decomposing bodies. Dr. Ahmed El Mohallalati, a surgeon, reported that tanks entered the hospital complex, and various weapons were used, directly targeting the hospital.
The hospital’s director, Muhammad Abu Salmiya, highlighted the dire conditions inside, with no communication with doctors, cut-off services, and the smell of death permeating the air. The international community continues to express growing concern over Israel’s bombardment of Gaza and its refusal to agree to a humanitarian ceasefire, as casualties rise, surpassing 11,000 reported deaths in the enclave.
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